VAfan

Let me toss out a name I would consider trading McCarthy for. ADAM DUNN.

Aubrey Huff would be a nice addition if he could be had for a fair price. He could play some 3B, some 1B, some RF, some DH. And he'd be a lefty bat. But he's not worth signing as a full-time player at any of those positions. Lyle Overbay is a 1B without power. Again, he's a nice average ballplayer. He would help us, but Milwaukee isn't trading him so it's a moot point. Eddie Guadado is a very nice relief pitcher. He's been solid at it for longer than Dustin Hermanson. If Seattle would take Damaso Marte for him straight up, I'd do it in a second. But he's said to have a bum shoulder and he has a $7 million option for next year. That's way too pricey for the Sox. Danys Baez has 7 blown saves this year. In 2003 he had 10. I wouldn't want him if they gave him to us, which TB won't do. Manny Ramirez is a great hitter. But he's a malcontent, a terrible fielder, and he has a contract that's $19 million/year for the next 3 years. You think JR would pay that? Would Manny be happy as a DH? Let him go to the Mets. Who am I missing? None of these guys is worth moving Brandon McCarthy for. McCarthy is a very solid pitcher. Look at Oakland. They have retooled with young arms like Brandon McCarthy. These guys win, but cost them nothing. Do you know how valuable that is? I think McCarthy just got rushed, based on his spring training performance, and it messed him up a bit. Remember, hadn't he only pitched a bit in AA before being raced to the big leagues? Now that he's been allowed to settle down, he has. It may be that he needs an offseason to develop a cutter to get better movement on his fastball, and to gain confidence in his changeup. With those pitches, and his ability to throw strikes, the kid could be a 15-game winner next year, or in 2 years. We are going to need 2 new starters pretty soon to replace Contreras and El Duque. McCarthy should be one of them. And in the meantime, I think McCarthy would be better than Jenks pitching out of the pen in this year's postseason. So don't think he can't help us this year. He can. *************** I'm not against making a trade. I'm just against giving up a critical piece of our future for a very marginal gain in the present. P.S. I'd be willing to give up any other player or players on our AAA club, but not McCarthy.

With most of the big names not likely to get moved -- AJ Burnett, Jason Schmidt, and Billy Wagner -- I don't think there is anyone on the market worth trading Brandon McCarthy for. Not Aubrey Huff, Eddie Guardado, etc., etc., and definitely not Danys "Blown Save" Baez. One of the posts on here noted that McCarthy has settled down at AAA, with a 1.80 ERA over his last 3 games, including an 8-inning shut out last time out. I think McCarthy could still help us as a last arm in the bullpen if they would let him finish his AAA season and bring him up as a September call up. And I don't want to mortgage the future of the franchise for a mediocre player that isn't go to be the key to the future of this team like Brandon McCarthy could be. Where would we be this year if we'd dumped Jon Garland for the mediocre 1B of the Angels? We'd be about even with the Twins, and likely to fade down the stretch like we did each of the last 3 years. We need to keep core, impact, young ballplayers. As someone said, the best chance to win it all is to be in the postseason every year, not just one out of every 5 years. Sure, we've got an excellent chance this year, and I'm willing to part with non-essential pieces. But I'm going to be sick if we pull another Kip Wells/Josh Fogg type overpayment deal on someone who never contributed a lick to our team. KEEP MCCARTHY (and Politte, Cotts, Sweeney, Young, and Jenks).

It looks as if, at the moment, there are going to be NO SIGNIFICANT TRADES before Sunday's deadline. 1. Florida informed Boston that Arroyo and Sanchez won't get AJ Burnett. Since they haven't accepted whatever the Sox may have offered already... 2. Lyle Overbay is definitely not on the market. 3. Jason Schmidt? No way. Ditto for Omar Vizquel. 4. Eddie Guardado? Jamie Moyer? Nothing going on. 5. Billy Wagner. f**edaboudit. 6. Aubrey Huff? Danys Baez? Too pricey. 7. Fill in the rest. Does that mean there really won't be any trades? I DOUBT IT. A very interesting thing may happen between now and Sunday. The selling teams that have been asking the moon may finally decide to sell, and sellers market may turn a bit into a buyer's market, or at least balance out. I expect tomorrow to remain quiet, but Saturday may be the day. I just hope that KW doesn't do anything stupid in the hopes of doing something "great." I'll be more than happy if after Sunday at 4 pm we still have BMac, Young, Jenks, Politte, Cotts, Sweeney, Fields, etc. I wouldn't oppose injecting some new energy through another pitcher and a lefty bat, but if it doesn't happen, I think these Sox will just figure out how to play better and beat all comers. GO SOX!

Well, I guess some of Cliff's luster came off today, but I still wouldn't trade him this year.

I'm glad to see there are still no votes for Danys "Blown Save" Baez.

Please don't trade for Danys "Blown Save" Baez. I wouldn't give up anyone to get that guy. 6 blown saves so far this year, on his way to topping his 10 blown saves in 2003. Do you know where we would be right now if our bullpen had blown 6 more games?? We'd be in the thick of a race for the AL Central, and if we lost that, we'd be hard pressed to win the Wild Card against the resurgent A's. The more I hear the trade options, the more I want us to stand pat and do nothing. Deals that once might have been fair, seem ever more tilted against us as the deadline draws close. I'd be ready to face the Yankees or BoSox with what we, and they, have. I think the bigger threats are the A's and Angels, but I'm willing to go against them too if we rest Frank until September.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 27, 2005 -> 04:38 PM) Wow you are in love with this guy, but it's a little much to compare him to Mariano Rivera, one guy is a closer, the other is a 7th inning guy. Big difference. Politte is the 8th inning guy, not usually the 7th inning guy. And it's my personal opinion, though I haven't done the research, that more games are lost to an 8th inning rally by the opponent than a 9th inning one, so I never underestimate the value of the set up guys. Moreover, they often have to come in mid-inning and fix a mess, and closers usually get to start innings. So of course Cliff Politte is not as good as the best relief pitcher ever (Rivera), but he's been golden for us this year. And if Hermanson couldn't go, I wouldn't hesitate to close with Politte. 32 base runners in 42 innings. No one touches him. In the postseason, I expect he will appear in EVERY close game.

My point is that we shouldn't be falling all over ourselves drooling over a 1B who doesn't have great power numbers. Sure Overbay is a solid ballplayer and he's a left handed bat. But he's not GREAT.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Jul 27, 2005 -> 04:03 PM) Last time I checked his record, KW has made some very good moves and some very bad moves over his tenure. He inherited a division winning team in 2000 and has yet to return them to the playoffs. I like Kenny, but I've yet to see him turn water into wine or walk on water. Why don't you put down the Kool Aid and have a malt liquor instead. If Politte is dealt for ANYONE, it would be worse than Kip Wells and Josh Fogg for .... (who was the stiff we got for those guys?) 20 Mariano Rivera NYY 39 0 42.1 22 10 4 11 48 4 2 0 25 0.85 31 Cliff Politte CWS 41 0 41.2 21 7 7 11 40 6 0 11 1 1.51 Cliff's ERA is slightly higher, but he's given up 1 less hit and the same number of walks in 2/3 less of an inning and 1 fewer game. Plus he's 6-0 for us. He's given up 2 HRs to Rivera's 1. If Politte is dealt and then we get Danys "Blown Save" Baez in his place, the Sox can kiss their postseason hopes goodbye. I guarantee we'll lose a game late that Politte would have handled with his tremendous play this year.

If Ross Gload's 2004 numbers were projected over a season, he would be every bit as good as Lyle Overbay. Gload 2004: 2004 CWS 110 234 28 75 16 0 7 44 20 37 0 3 .321 -- .479 .854 Overbay 2004: 2004 Mil 159 579 83 174 53 1 16 87 81 128 2 1 .301 -- .478 .863 So all of you who want to surrender half our farm system for Mr. Overbay, please reconsider. Sure, Overbay has to be rated higher because he's played more, but the difference is not enough in my mind to want to give up anything right now for Overbay.

This morning on Mike & Mike, Jayson Stark said Cliff Politte, not Damaso Marte, was now part of the package for AJ Burnett. I hope that is not true. It certainly makes me concerned. Cliff Politte has pitched as well this year as Mariano Rivera. Look it up. How many 1-run victories for us this year would have been turned into defeats if we didn't have Cliff Politte. He has been one of the best relievers in baseball this year. Without him, the Sox bullpen, which is a tremendous strength of the team, would turn to mush. I wouldn't trade Cliff Politte heads up for AJ Burnett. PLEASE, KW, STEP AWAY FROM THE PHONE. DON'T BE SO STUPID AS TO TRADE CLIFF POLITTE. (P.S. I expect this rumor is part of some other threads on Jayson Stark, but I felt it deserved its own headline.)

QUOTE(Lefty Of Love @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:31 PM) I think Billy Wagner would make the best pickup at the deadline, making our bullpen ridiculously deep. Hermanson's health has to be a huge concern; the guy gets it done when he can play, but we all know he has missed closing situations in more than a few games now. Wagner might even push Hermanson down the chart into setup, which would give Ozzie ridiculous flexibility in setup: imagine being able to choose from Politte, Jenks, or Hermanson on any given night to set up (assuming Marte would either be gone or pushed out of setup into a left-handed specialist role or something). Philly would probably want a SP, something we could swing, giving them Jose Contreras. Given our large lead in the Central going w/Bmac to take JC's place wouldn't be all that bad. Besides, JC is the odd man out of the rotation come the playoffs anyway. What do you guys think we would have to give Philly for Wagner? I'm all for Wagner, though he's likely unattainable. Yesterday when it seemed like Burnett/Lowell for BMac/Marte was possible, I suggested keeping Lowell and shipping Contreras, Crede, and Vizcaino to Philly for Wagner. But it's a pipe dream and would blow up when Burnett and Wagner would likely walk after the season.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:41 PM) No, but he's a good pitcher. I'm not sure how many inherited runners he's let score but I assume he hasn't had a ton of chances with them since he's their closer, he's got a very good era and is a HUGE upgrade over Viz. If you don't think this is true well I don't know what to tell you then. Let's not debate whether he's better than Viz. That's not the point. Why would we give up players to get him? To put him in the wrong role. If TB wanted Viz for Baez, fine. I'd use Baez the same way we use Viz. He's behind Hermanson, Politte, and Cotts. Maybe he's as reliable as Marte. I don't want to pay to get him.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:31 PM) 30 saves and only 3 blown saves in 2004. This guy is insurance. Politte doesn't like closing, Marte can't close, Cotts no, Shingo bye bye, and Luis well is Luis...This move is to get an experienced closer who has had success doing so. He's not brought in here to close. He's brought in here to be the backup plan to Hermanson if his back troubles continue. If Wagner and Guardado aren't an option then Baez is the next best w/ value left over to acquire Burnett or Huff or whatever... I'd hate to see Baez. I don't think he has the temperment to close under real pressure. Blown saves are the worst in a relief pitcher. Remember Billy Koch? If Baez had blown 6 saves for us this year, he'd be the 6th guy in the pen. I don't care what his "stuff" is.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:29 PM) Well Baez is a fulltime closer so he's going to have more then others. If he were traded here he wouldn't close. He's a definite upgrade over Viz, I'd love to have Baez. So you think blown saves by your closer are okay?? Stay away from Danys Baez. I used to love it when he came into the ballgame against us.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:19 PM) How about Overbay for Anderson/Sweeney and Tracy!?!?!?!? Wow is that overpaying. First basemen who can't hit for power are not very valuable in my book. Sure Overbay would be a slight upgrade this year, and is a lot cheaper than Konerko and is a lefty. But I wouldn't swap the farm for him. If Ross Gload's 2004 numbers were projected over a season, he would be every bit as good as Lyle Overbay. Gload 2004: 2004 CWS 110 234 28 75 16 0 7 44 20 37 0 3 .321 -- .479 .854 Overbay 2004: 2004 Mil 159 579 83 174 53 1 16 87 81 128 2 1 .301 -- .478 .863

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:14 PM) No, the best deal would be BMac/Contreras & Marte for Schmidt and Vizquel. I'd give up Anderson before I'd give up McCarthy. Dye is set for RF next year, and Rowand/Pods aren't moving either. But McCarthy might move into the starting rotation next year if we deal Contreras or if anyone is hurt. I don't think McCarthy will win like McDowell did next year, but I don't think Ozzie was off his rocker comparing him to Black Jack in spring training. And McCarthy already walks fewer guys than McDowell did, and strikes out just as many.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:05 PM) What's your beef with Baez?? I'd love to have the guy. I know for a fact Kenny's not going to make a deal just to make a deal. Blown saves. 6 this year already, on his way to his high of 10 in 2003. The Sox bullpen in this department is Marte 3 Cotts 2 Hermanson 1 Politte 0 Vizcaino 3 Takatsu 1 Jenks NA Walker 1 Baez has as many as our two shakiest bullpen guys - Marte and Vizcaino - combined.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Jul 26, 2005 -> 11:01 PM) It was on Sportscenter. Jayson Stark was doing a thing on who he thinks what each team in contention should target. No way in hell are we giving up Politte or Cotts. Obviously, they don't do their homework. By the way, I couldn't respond to your post on the AJ Burnett thread that is now locked. I wasn't saying Contreras, Marte AND BMac, I was substituting Contreras for BMac if they want to compete this year. You could then spice that up with less valuable B-list prospects.

A lot of the deals mentioned in the rumor mills scare me more than excite me. Danys Baez? Please NO. At any price. AJ Burnett as a 2-month rental for BMac and Marte? Marginal. Aubrey Huff? Ok, depending on price. ********* The best deal would still be Schmidt/Vizquel for Contreras, Uribe, and Anderson. AJ Burnett would be okay if he'd sign a 3-year contract. Billy Wagner would be a big plus, but he's also a likely rental, so I wouldn't overpay. BE CAREFUL KENNY. DON'T MAKE A SPLASH JUST TO PROVE YOU ARE WORKING. Make the RIGHT DEAL(s) or don't make one at all.

Jayson Stark has us trying to bid for Baez and Huff, and the names on our side were Marte, Politte, Cotts. AACK. No trade of Politte or Cotts under any circumstances, please. I'd take Huff, but Baez isn't any better than Jose Vizcaino. He's blown 6 saves so far this year, and he blew 10 and lost 9 games in 2003 for Cleveland. NO THANKS. I don't want him.

Split the DH ABs between Everett and Konerko, and use Gload several days a week at 1B. We don't need an extra DH.

QUOTE(daa84 @ Jul 25, 2005 -> 11:00 PM) next time you give stats, how bout letting everyone know what they actually mean instead of just giving us numbers You ought to be able to read that without guidance. All the stat lines are the same. In this case the first number is the number of years, but everything else is normal. As for the comment about making Lowell as a RH DH, I think this would be stupid. Everett is actually hitting much better from the right side this year. If Lowell is part of any deal, we need to trade him or Crede to the Phillies as part of a package for Billy Wagner. But all of this appears like a total long shot.

If the Marlins want a starter, why don't they accept Jose Contreras from the Sox as the core of a deal? He's better than Bronson Arroyo right now, he's Cuban, and he could do very well for them down the stretch. If they demand Marte as part of the deal, I could live with that too, though we would than have to try to find a lefty reliever. KENNY, DON'T BLINK. Contreras + Marte is much more than Boston is going to offer, no matter how much Peter Gammons waxes on about Anibel Sanchez, who is only a AA pitcher.